Best of the Bay Films (I know, that's not saying much)

Rating: 8/10 (7 August 2006)

I had ignored this DVD on the shelf for several months, not even remembering the trailers when they appeared prior to the film's theatrical release. I knew it cost $125 million to make and produced a paltry sum in theaters. When I finally grabbed it off the shelf and popped it in the player, however, I found a film as enjoyable as Bay's first blockbuster, The Rock.
The premise of the film is fascinating enough, and Bay's rapid-fire direction and $125,000,000 budget don't disappoint. Special effects and action sequences are up to par, and we genuinely sympathize with the plight of the two main leads. Ewan Macgregor and Scarlett Johannson play their roles simplistically (and effectively), although Macgregor's more serious turn towards the end (ensuring both's survival) is a stretch. Djimon Hounsou's turn at the end, while bizarre, makes sense, and Sean Bean and Steve Buscemi add substance and style to villain and ally along the way. Without giving it all away, The Island is definitely a top-tier rental. Be pleasantly surprised!